On Monday November 19, 2018, at about 3:22PM, Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on  Hwy 199 near milepost 30.5, south of Cave Junction, in Josephine County.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a white 1993 Chevy S10 Blazer, operated by Evelyn Parmerlee (89) of Cave Junction, was traveling south on Hwy 199. Parmerlee attempted to turn left onto Pinewood Way when her vehicle crashed head-on with a brown 1988 Ford Bronco II, operated by Michael Finley II (54) of Cave Junction.

Parmerlee suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.

Finley and his passenger, Rachel Lawson (44) of Cave Junction were transported by AMR ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with serious injuries.

US Hwy 199 was closed for approximately 3 hours after the crash.

OSP was assisted on scene by Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Illinois Valley Fire, American Medical Response, and ODOT.

Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers are asking for the public’s assistance in locating and apprehending the person(s) responsible for shooting a bull elk on the evening of Friday, November 16, 2018 in Jackson County. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that the elk was shot and partially cut up off of South Fork Little Butte Creek Road about 2 miles from Lake Creek.

A vehicle of interest is a dark colored SUV that was observed in the area around 9:15pm on that evening after rifle shots were heard.  Anyone with information about this or any other vehicles or individuals seen in the area on or about the timeframe listed is asked to call with information.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact OSP Sergeant Jim Collom at (541)841-0416 or through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677).

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.

Preference Point Rewards:

5 Points-Bighorn Sheep

5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points-Moose

5 Points-Wolf

4 Points-Elk

4 Points-Deer

4 Points-Antelope

4 Points-Bear

4 Points-Cougar

Or the TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Upland Birds, Waterfowl, and Furbearers. Cash rewards can also be awarded for the unlawful take of Game Fish and Shellfish and for Habitat Destruction.

CASH REWARDS:
$1,000 Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat and Moose 
$500 Elk, Deer and Antelope 
$300 Bear, Cougar and Wolf 
$300 Habitat Destruction 
$100 Upland Birds and Waterfowl 
$100 Furbearers 

$100 Game Fish and Shellfish 

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP(677)

TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM - 5:00PM)

Tattoos can be reminders of the past and a lifestyle that is best left behind. For the women housed at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) they have the opportunity to start anew as they transition towards becoming members of our community.

In March of this year, the Department of Corrections (DOC) in partnership with Portland Community College (PCC) began a tattoo removal program at CCCF. Tammy Kennedy, a PCC leader who contracts with the institution, runs this potentially life-changing initiative along with the CCCF hair design program. Ms. Kennedy has a certificate in Advanced Esthetics, which she pursued in part, to bring additional treatment, skills, training and certification options to the incarcerated women.

As she operates the tattoo removal laser she says, “Many of these women come to our facilities with anti-social tattoos. Whether they are gang, drug or domestic abuse related tattoos, helping them remove that part of their past is rewarding work. Many of these tattoos were directly related to what brought them here. What they once thought was permanent can now be a thing of the past.”

One incarcerated woman wrote about her tattoo removal experience, “For 22 years, I’ve had a shackle around my ankle, the permanent brand of a past abusive relationship that I’ve had to be reminded of every day as I put on my shoes. The tattoo removal program that you brought to Coffee Creek is changing that.”

To date, 362 people have been treated and approximately 750 tattoos have been, or are in the process of, being removed. The longer term objective is to bring tattoo removal to the men incarcerated, as well.

CCCF is a multi-custody prison located in Wilsonville accommodating all of Oregon’s female inmates (approximately 1,260). The prison has cell and dormitory housing, inmate work programs, skills training, treatment programs, health services, religious services, physical plant, a central records unit, and administrative areas. CCCF participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises, including a contact center, auto CAD, and document scanning. In addition, CCCF houses the state’s intake center, which provides intake and evaluation of all inmates committed to state custody by the courts. The intake center houses approximately 400 male inmates. CCCF’s minimum facility opened in 2001, and the medium facility opened in 2002.

Boxes, buckets, and benches are a few of our least favorite things.

Whether you’re hanging lights, topping the tree, or adorning that 10-foot-tall snow person, this time of year is full of long reaches and tall surfaces. But now is not the time to get creative in how you reach new heights.

“It’s easy in the holiday hustle to want to use whatever is around to reach something up high,” said Leigh Manning, senior safety management consultant at SAIF. “But avoiding an injury is worth taking the time to grab that ladder from the garage.”

That’s the message of a new video SAIF released today, urging Oregonians to use ladders over other, less safe options.

“We see slips and falls regularly caused by using the wrong climbing surface, and those injuries are pretty easy to avoid,” said Manning.

It’s important to secure the ladder’s feet on a firm, level surface, and avoid stepping on the top step or platform of a self-supporting ladder. And work with a buddy—elf or otherwise. 

But ladders aren’t the only hazards this time of year. Manning offered these seasonal tips for staying healthy and safe when you are over-scheduling, over-indulging, or over-the-top decorating.  

• Be merry and eat healthy. Offer nutritious options such as veggie dips and fruit platters at office potlucks and holiday parties. Eat a light, protein-packed snack beforehand, so you don’t arrive starving. Use small plates, so you’re not tempted to overindulge. For more ways to eat well at work, visit saif.com/nutrition.
• Let it snow and let stress go. Increased workloads, financial worries, and other distractions can raise your risk of getting hurt or sick. A brisk walk in the fresh air, a stretching break at your desk, or a few calming breaths can help clear your mind and boost your body’s defenses. Take a 60-second relaxation break at saif.com/relax.
• Ready to spot more holiday hazards? Watch these 360-degree videos and see how many you can identify at work and at home.

“We hope everyone has a happy holiday season, and that starts with staying safe and healthy,” said Manning. 

About SAIF

SAIF is Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company. Since 1914, we've been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.

November 16, 2018

 For more information: Peter Murphy

ODOT Public Information Officer

541-388-6224

Oregon DOT Carries “People’s Tree” on Statewide

Well-wishing Highway Enroute To D.C.

(Travel to Capitol Will Retrace Oregon Trail)

BEND – Oregon is sending the 2018 U S Capitol Christmas Tree to Washington, D.C. for the holidays.  The first stops on the route that will retrace the Oregon Trail were within the state and the “People’s Tree” is now on a multi-state journey that will end in the Nation’s Capitol on Monday, November 26.

Video clips produced by the Oregon Department of Transportation about the in-state sendoff are available for unlimited use at:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1til3llcod4au6y/u.s. capitol christmas tree tv.mov?dl=0

##ODOT##

On Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at approximately 6:15 AM Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84 near milepost 89.

Initial investigation revealed that a 2000 Dodge Ram PU, operated by Zachary Rivera (32) from Mulino, OR, was westbound on Interstate 84 when the vehicle hit the guardrail, crossed both lanes, and went down an embankment on the south side of Interstate 84.  

Rivera was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.  He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Oregon State Police were assisted by Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue and ODOT.

CORRECTION -  Richard Hillmann 

On November 22, 2017, Richard Hillmann attended a day before Thanksgiving gathering at a friend’s house on Pleasant Valley Road in Josephine County.  He left the party between 8 - 9 PM in his green 1997 Toyota SR5 pickup (OR License VWT 361) and has not been seen since.

Hillmann's residence is within 5 miles of the Pleasant Valley gathering.

The Oregon State Police adopted the case in March of 2018 and has interviewed many witnesses, friends, and neighbors. Hillmann had few close associates and primarily stayed to himself.

Investigators believe that Hillmann is the victim of foul play and the person(s) involved were known to Hillman.

Oregon State Police investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating Hillman and/or his vehicle. If anyone has seen Hillmann, the vehicle,  or have any information regarding his disappearance they are asked to contact the Oregon State Police Southern Command Center at 541-776-6111 or OSP and reference case number SP18-076662 / Detective John Anderson.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Aubrey Richardson, died today, November 14, 2018. He was incarcerated at Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) and passed away at the institution. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified and the Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 14,900 men and women who are incarcerated in the 14 institutions across the state. Richardson entered DOC custody on November 22, 2016 from Linn County.  His earliest release date was September 19, 2021. He was 76 years old. Next of kin have been notified.

TRCI is a multi-custody facility in Umatilla that houses more than 1,800 men.  It delivers a range of correctional services and programs including education, work opportunities, and cognitive programming.  The minimum facility opened in 1998 and the medium facility opened in 2000.

On Wednesday November 14, 2018 at approximately 8:44 pm Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian on Hwy 99 milepost 4.5.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2018 Ford F150 PU, operated by Jordan Abbasi (33) of Missouri City,
Texas, was traveling northbound on Hwy 99 near milepost 4.5 when he hit a pedestrian in the roadway.  The pedestrian , identified as Bonnie Weyburn (52) from Vancouver, WA.  was transported to the hospital but later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Abbasi was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.

OSP was assisted by EMS, Jackson County Fire, and ODOT.